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HOUSTON — One person is in custody and another taken to the hospital after a shooting at YES Prep Southwest Secondary in southwest Houston today.
What we know
- Happened at YES Prep Southwest Secondary in the 4400 block of Anderson Road
- A 25-year-old man, who was armed with a rifle, is in custody. Police said he is a former student who has now been identified by his family and two other sources as Dexter Kelsey
- An administrator, now identified as principal Eric Espinoza, was shot in the back
- No students were injured or involved
- Classes are cancelled from Monday to Wednesday next week
The 911 call came in at 11:46 a.m. as a possible active shooting situation. Police were at YES Prep within minutes. When they got there, they found that someone had shot through the glass door of the school to get in. Then once inside, the suspect shot an administrator, according to the school.
Family members along with two sources confirm to KHOU 11 News that Dexter Kelsey is the suspected shooter at YES Prep Southwest earlier today.
In a media briefing, HPD Chief Troy Finner said that 25-year-old suspect had been armed with a rifle walked when he walked up to the front door of the school. The door was locked so the suspect shot through it, Once inside is when the suspect reportedly shot at the administrator, principal Eric Espinoza, in the back.
School officials said Espinoza was grazed by a bullet from behind. Police said he was released from the hospital Friday night.
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School officials said the principal was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Espinoza is expected to be released later today.
Chief Finner said when officers arrived, the suspect gave up without incident.
Finner said they went through the school to make sure no other suspects were there.
Click here to listen to Chief Finner's entire press conference here.
Police administered first aid to Espinoza. He was then taken to the hospital.
The suspect is reportedly a former student at YES Prep, school officials told police.
“I don’t think any kid or anybody should witness this but it’s the world we live in," Finner said towards the end of his press briefing.
YES Prep released the following statement:
"Police are on campus with a suspect in custody after opening fire from the school’s front entry. No students were involved in the incident or were injured. An administrator was transported to the hospital. Students have been transported to W. Fuqua and Hiram Clarke, where they can be picked up. Please do not drive to the school; roads are blocked by Houston Police Department."
Later in the day YES Prep shared this note that was sent to parents and students:
"Dear Southwest Students and Families:
"We had an incredibly frightening day and are immensely grateful there were no life-threatening injuries after a 25-year-old former student shot through a window in our front entry. School administrators, staff and students immediately responded to the threat by going safely into lockdown, as rehearsed in practice drills, and the suspect surrendered his weapon as soon as police arrived.
"Principal Eric Espinoza was taken to the hospital after a bullet grazed him from behind, and he is expected to be released today.
"We are canceling classes Monday through Wednesday, and we will meet with students and families next week before classes resume. More details will be shared with you soon.
"We cannot imagine the terror you must have felt as the events unfolded. Today’s shocking incident is one that no student, parent or educator should ever have to go through or cope with on their own. We have counselors standing by to help anyone needing support over the weekend, next week, and through the school year. If needed, please do not hesitate to reach out using this form: bit.ly/yesprepsaf. Information on how to discuss the incident together at home is available at https://bit.ly/YPFamilyResource.
"Our caring staff will be ready to welcome students upon their return to school next week.
"Sincerely,
"Mark DiBella
"CEO, YES Prep Public Schools"
Students share their experience after school shooting
A student said the school just went through an active shooter drill just days ago.
“It was scary because two days ago we practiced a drill like this, like what we would do if something happened like this, and for it to happen now, like school is not safe for anybody anymore,” the student said.
A senior describes how an employee led him and several other students to safety.
“I’m a senior. I was in the cafeteria. I was at lunch and I just seen my school director run towards us, screaming like to lockdown,” the student said. “So he took us out the backdoor and we was all running to the gym because there’s classrooms in there and he locked us in there.”
Video from inside the school shows students being escorted out of the building by police with their hands in the air.
Parents react to school shooting
